City Lights is a landmark general bookstore, internationally known for our expert selection of titles and our commitment to free intellectual inquiry.

Founded in 1953 as the nation’s first all-paperback bookstore, we now offer both hardcovers and paperbacks from all of the major publishing houses, along with an impressive range of titles from smaller, specialty publishers. Our shop features an extensive selection of poetry, fiction, translations, politics, history, philosophy, music, spirituality, and more, with a staff whose special interests in many fields contribute to the hand-picked quality of what you see on the shelves.

Events

Thursday, May 2, 2024, 7:00 pm PST

Jakuta Alikavazovic in conversation with Anna Wiener

City Lights, Fern Books, Center for the Art of Translation, and Villa Albertine San Francisco celebrate the publication of Like a Sky Inside - by Jakuta Alikavazovic - translated from the French by Daniel Levin Becker - published by Fern Books

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All of the sections you’ll find in our bookstore are available here for browsing!

Merchandise & Gifts

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